Cherry Blossom

Cherry blossom trees are beautiful pink-leafed flowers best known for their beauty during the springtime. Many couples love to walk under cherry blossom trees due to the romantic feeling of the light pink flowers. These trees can produce cherries, but they are small and sometimes inedible. Cherry blossoms are produced for their leaves and the beauty that their shape and color bring. Cherry blossom trees are significant in Japanese culture, but it has started to spread around the globe, especially in Northern America. While the cherry blossom is beautiful, it also carries magick that Witches should take the opportunity to learn and use. You will be amazed by the type of magick these graceful trees offer. By the end of this article, you should have a good grasp of the magick cherry blossom trees carry.

Japanese Culture of Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossoms, also known as sakura, are highly respected in Japanese culture. Cherry blossoms are their national flower, and they hold an annual flower viewing, also known as hanami, a ceremony that has been a tradition for hundreds of years. In Japanese culture, cherry blossoms represent the concept of mono no aware, which is the acknowledgment of the transitions of life. When cherry blossoms bloom, the petals fall gently like fresh snowfall. They are whimsical and transient, signifying how precious life is and to enjoy living while we can.

Cherry blossoms also have a connection to the Otherworld. In Japan, spring celebrates new life and is also a time to remember those who have departed and the spirits of the land. It shows that life and death are always intertwined, and you cannot have one without the other. Japan is also called the “Land of the Rising Sun” since the sun rises in the east, and Japan is in the east. The east is connected to spring and the element of air, so all together, the elements further show the connection Japan and cherry blossoms have for revival.

Cherry Blossom Lore

Sacred Trees

In Buddhist folklore, it is believed that old and beautiful trees contained spirits known as kami. Since cherry blossom trees have a short lifespan, the kami inhabit them because of the beauty of their leaves. The kami stay in the trees as their homes and can help people they feel need the help. You can tell what a sacred tree is by a large, twisted rope wrapped around it. The rope protects the tree, and anyone who tries to cut one of the trees with it will find misfortune.

The 16th Day

An ancient cherry blossom lore tells of a lonely samurai ghost. The elderly samurai lived in the district of Wakegori and had outlived everyone he loved. As he grew older, his only comfort was the ancient cherry blossom in his garden. The tree had been in his life since he was a child and had been in his family for generations. The tree soon died as well, making him more depressed. On the 16th of the following January, he ended his life, and his ghost entered the tree. From then on, the tree bloomed only on the 16th of January.

Magickal Properties and Uses

Cherry blossoms are highly magickal. It has a unique and strong smell, so it is frequently used to make powerful oils and incense. Its smell is intoxicating, making it a prime tool for love magick. Since its scent is sweet, it can be uplifting, positive, and wave away dark energies. The scent is best used in spells that work on new beginnings, change, and boosting creativity.

The sight of cherry blossoms drew in the inviting energies of spring. Its petals are ideal for spells meant to kick off new beginnings or bring luck to projects. It can also help bring abundance to you, things you are striving for, and more.

Cherry Blossoms and Ostara

Cherry blossoms bloom during the spring, showing that the time of new life has started. While beautiful, cherry blossom trees have a short lifespan, blooming only about two to three weeks. Though short-lived, cherry blossoms represent Ostara’s belief in growth, strength, and rebirth.

They are sturdy trees that tend to withstand most weather conditions, showing off the strength they have to survive, as we Witches should no matter what life throws at us. Cherry blossoms are one of the fastest-growing trees, some types being able to grow up to 3 feet per year. The rapid growth of the trees can encourage Witches to strive forth and accomplish their goals, which could lead to a positive branching effect and things going your way faster than you can believe. And, of course, cherry blossom trees always grow new flowers each year, so they have the ability to come back to life after losing their flowers, telling us we will be ready to bloom as well, no matter what trials we have to go through. The cherry blossom flowers that drop invoke a sense of calmness and beauty, something also honored greatly during Ostara.

The slowly falling, delicate petals of a cherry blossom tree may be what captivates you at first, but you would have quickly learned of the magick the petals and tree itself carry. If you are lucky enough to live near where cherry blossoms are planted, it should be easy for you to collect fallen petals, branches, and bark for your rituals. If you do not live where cherry blossoms are abundant, you can purchase them online. Just be sure that if you order cherry blossoms online, you cleanse them before using them. You do not know where the cherry blossoms were collected in terms of who walks by them or what is around them, so cleanse them of any energies to be safe. But once you have your cherry blossom supplies ready, you will be able to use them in the spells and rituals you need.

Let these graceful trees become a regular in your Craft tools today!